One line from One Mountain Thousand Summits by Freddie Wilkinson — the second part of this next sentence — has had me thinking during my early morning runs about the old question, is climbing selfish? Wilkinson writes, “Since the polar feuds of the 20th Century, media controversy was an intrinsic part of exploration [including mountaineering] — but back then, few seriously questioned whether climbing mountains or traversing continents was worth it.”
Today, people question whether our sport is worthwhile. Talk of this subject usually follows tragedy — like the 1996 Everest disaster, 2008 loss of life on K2 or the 2011 season on Denali — hits the mainstream media.
The simplest way to answer whether our adventures are “worth it,” is to ask whether any athletic endeavor is. Playing baseball, for instance, seems beyond question unselfish because spectators can take in a game and the fans consider professional players (and even some amateurs) as entertainers. At least it is beyond question insofar as nobody thinks to attack it the way climbing sometimes is criticized, largely due to the danger. Deaths are rarely reported in the outfield.
Climbing, has been historically secretive or at least private affairs, except for well-sponsored expeditions driving for the biggest objectives. Expeditions to attempt 8,000 meter peaks in the 1950s and 60s were well publicized, meanwhile work being done in Alaska at the same time was underground. The smaller rock walls in New England were climbed by climbers and it mattered only to other climbers.
Do climbers need nonclimbers to care or respect their pursuits and accomplishments to avoid being labeled selfish? I don’t think so, but the questions are largely questions of values and public relations. Climbing — particularly alpine mountaineering — is among the last types of exploration-type adventure in our day and age.
One better question to ask is, are we better people because of climbing? To answer that, we need to talk about what are the ultimate inputs and outputs. To launch a good climb — not just our recreational top rope trip, but a real multi-pitch ascent that takes longer than a day — we put in logistical organization, risk analysis, camaraderie, courage, innovation and determination in the face of adversity. The most progressive climbers may come from these experiences with an elitist attitude (I can’t blame them to a degree), but in general the skills involved are admirable qualities employers often seek out. Whether the skills transfer from the slopes and walls to a different environment depends on the situation and the person.
Those of us with the restlessness of an explorer won’t ultimately care about the question. Answering it just becomes another occupational hazard. While we often value our own efforts climbing very highly, others will always measure us more by what we do and who we are away from the hills. Hopefully, our strengths and positives of being a climber shines.
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